Arizona on their minds

SEPARATED AT BIRTH? Lorraine Bracco, left, who played the wise, gentle and sane Dr. Melfi on ‘The Sopranos,’ shares those qualities - and cheekbones - with Vicki Kennedy.

Credit: Dave Wedge

PISTOL PACK: Sen. Bob Hedlund and Sen. Kevin Honan meet former Sex Pistol John Lydon, now of Public Image Limited, backstage at Royale.

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When the Boston City Council decided to wade into the immigration debate in Arizona, councilors who backed a boycott of Arizona businesses were bombarded with hate e-mail and angry phone calls.

And not all of the criticism came from hide-behind-your-keyboard-with-an-anonymous-e-mail types. Among those chiming in was Bob Golic, a former New England Patriot and brother of ESPN host Mike Golic, who said he was “disgusted” by the move.

“Your choice of boycott against a state that has decided to protect themselves from physical and financial hardship is ill-advised. I am beyond disappointed in a city whose formation was based on courage, sovereignty and self determination, but is now condemning strong Americans making difficult decisions,” Golic wrote to the council. “You and other government officials of the same ilk are derelict of duty. Enjoy your position till November.”

Sounds like a real Patriot . . .

Funky fund-raiser

State Rep. Marie St. Fleur was back in the news this week for another financial faux pas.

St. Fleur, who recently accepted a cabinet post in Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s administration, raised eyebrows when invitations to a May 24 political fund-raiser in her honor surfaced this week.

A City Hall insider said the fund-raiser has been canceled and chalked the flap up to a “mistake” by a St. Fleur campaign aide.

The Dorchester Democrat made headlines in 2006 when she infamously derailed former Attorney General Tom Reilly’s gubernatorial hopes. Just days after she was named as Reilly’s potential lieutenant governor, it was revealed she had personal tax woes, defaulted on student loans and faced campaign finance violations.

Much appreciated

State Sen. Richard Tisei says the gay community can thank Republicans for gay marriage. “The margin of victory was provided by Republicans,” Tisei told Boston Spirit Magazine, a gay publication.

The comment was in reference to four GOP state senators who voted to keep same-sex from going to a public vote. The magazine includes an in-depth profile of Tisei and notes that if he wins with gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Baker in November, he would be the highest-ranking openly gay man elected to statewide office.

Tisei was also asked if he would himself one day take advantage of the state’s same-sex marriage law. Tisei has been in a longtime relationship with realtor Bernie Starr.

“We’ve been together for 16 years. If anything changes, I will let you know,” he said. “It’s personal. We own property and run a business together. The thing I like the most about my partner is that he is unpolitical, not really interested in politics, which is why we have such a great relationship.”

But lest Tisei be portrayed as the “gay rights” candidate, he assured the publication that he is Republican because he believes in limited government.

“If people expect to see us run a campaign that panders to the gay community or any one community, (they will) be disappointed,” he said. “Rather, our basic message is we think we can do a better job.”

Hot/ Not

Who’s Hot

Gov. Deval Patrick

The ‘Aquapocalypse’ lasted just a couple days as the governor’s team moved swiftly to restore safe drinking water to 30 communities affected by a ‘catastrophic’ water main break.

Who’s Not

Boston City Council

With layoffs and library closings looming, the tin-eared council took it upon itself to wade into the Arizona immigration debate by calling for a boycott of Arizona companies.

Quote of the week

“The mayor believes strongly that immigrants founded this country, including his own grandparents, and that we always have been a country that was open to all.”

- Spokeswoman Dot Joyce, on Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s support for a resolution passed by the City Council calling for a ban on Arizona companies doing business with the city.